Malik-e-Maidan Bijapur: The Largest Medieval Cannon in the World

Bijapur is a historic place and one of the popular tourist destinations in India. Guesthouses and hotels in Bijapur remain occupied throughout the year. Bijapur is situated in Karnataka and is officially known as Vijayapura. It is about 550 km from Bangalore and Mumbai, both. It is the 9th largest city in the state.  Bijapur is also called the land of five rivers. The city was founded by the Kalyani Chalukyas around the 10th century as the City of Victory, Vijayapura. The popular language of the city is Kannada.

Bijapur is a city that is full of monumental attractions. The palaces, minarets, arches, tombs, and every significant structure are made from the basalt rocks which are found in abundance in the region. Vines and Peepal trees mark the monuments everywhere like some sort of ornamentation. A number of hotels in Bijapur are close to the tourist attractions. Some most important and popular places to visit in Bijapur are Gol Gumbaz - the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah which is considered the largest dome ever built in India and second only to the St. Peter’s Basilicas of Rome. The central chamber of this dome echoes each sound, cast inside it, seven times.

In the whispering gallery of this dome, even the slightest whispers can be heard from a distance of 37 meters. Such virtues adorn the significance and marvel of Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur. Another attraction in the city is the Archeological Museum of Bijapur which showcases inscriptions, weapons, manuscripts, sculptures, etc. Ibrahim Rauza, the tomb of Ibrahim Shah, is said to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. King Edward VII Memorial with the marble tower is also worth the visit.

Monarch of the Plains, Bijapur

One unique tourist attraction in Bijapur is the Monarch of the Plains, more commonly known as Malik-e-Maidan, which is actually the largest cannon of medieval times in the whole world. It weighs 55 tons and was brought from Ahmadnagar in the 17th century by 400 oxen, 10 elephants, and scores of men.  It rested on the Sherza Burj where a compatible platform was built for it. Firing the cannon made such a violent and roaring sound that the one igniting it used to hide under the water tank, which was built on the same platform, in order to avoid the threat of going deaf. This heavy work of metal and iron is a sure watch for tourists.  Some other nice attractions are Upli Buruj, Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Narasimha temple, Parshwanath Basadi, Alamatti Dam, etc.

Visiting places of historic importance is a thrill in itself.  It educates you about the relevance of the places and gives you an insight into the old traditions and customs. History often is a heritage of a nation and hence the affairs of the gone times hold a lot of cultural value. Monuments, palaces, temples, etc. take you back in time and acquaint you with the incidents which give you a clear understanding of the world you live in. Besides luxurious accommodations, there are 3-star hotels in Bijapur that comfortable stay under a reasonable tariff. Explore the city this vacation.